Leadership Maryland Announces Emerging Leader Program 2nd Class
36 rising stars and high-potential employees chosen to participate in Leadership Maryland’s six-month professional development program
Easton, Md. (January 30, 2025) – Leadership Maryland, the statewide nonprofit offering professional development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its business and community leaders, announces today the 36 individuals selected to participate in the Emerging Leader Program 2nd Class. The class consists of 36 rising stars and high-potential employees from across the state who are poised for upward growth within their organizations and who are eager to hone their core leadership skills.
Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program will run from June to November, consisting of monthly day-long sessions that will include both interactive training led by a facilitator and panel discussions featuring leaders from across the state as guest speakers. The program’s curriculum offers a holistic approach to leadership development, designed to help each applicant increase their self-awareness and gain behaviors, skills, and tools to become more adaptive, inclusive, strategic, and impactful leaders.
“We are excited to announce the new Emerging Leader 2 nd Class and welcome these motivated and forward-thinking individuals to our program,” said David Fike ’16 (LM) president and CEO, Leadership Maryland. “After the program’s successful first year in 2024, we are excited to build on that momentum with a class that represents a dynamic cross-section of ambitious and promising rising leaders. The knowledge, experience, and connections they will gain in our program will prepare them to become more adaptive and impactful leaders in their careers and communities.”
Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program is open to individuals who are advancing in their careers, are actively involved in their communities, and desire to become stronger leaders in both areas. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit leadershipmd.org, call 410-841-2101 or email info@leadershipmd.org.
Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program 2nd Class participants:
Karalyn R. Aanenson EL 2nd Class
Director of Legislation Policy and Reform
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
Mark Balthrop EL 2nd Class
Account Manager
Stryker
Chantal Bowlah EL 2nd Class
Controller
Vehicles for Change
Alex J. Brice EL 2nd Class
Economic & Inclusion Manager
Johns Hopkins University – Facilities & Real Estate Design & Construction
Dominic J. Butchko EL 2nd Class
Director of Intergovernmental Relations
Maryland Association of Counties
Kathryne Carter EL 2nd Class
Planner/Owner
Grace and Virtue Events
Ira C. Cohen EL 2nd Class
Senior Project Manager
The Whiting-Turner Contract Company
Dr. Sharon G. Cooper EL 2nd Class
Senior Faculty Specialist
University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service and Research
Benita T. Dawson EL 2nd Class
Firefighter/Paramedic Battalion Chief
Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Department
Dolores Deel EL 2nd Class
Portfolio Administrator
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Jason Dicembre EL 2nd Class
Director – Office of Transportation Mobility & Operations
Maryland State Highway Administration
Renesha Miles EL 2nd Class
Chief Equity Officer
Charles County Government
April N. Moeller EL 2nd Class
Acting Director of Government Affairs
Maryland State Highway Association
Justin E. Mohr EL 2nd Class
Office of Structures Division Chief
Maryland State Highway Association
Jordan L. Pearlstein EL 2nd Class
Acquisition Specialist
Mayvin, Inc.
Ngounou Pesseu, Ph.D. EL 2nd Class
Senior Project Construction Manager
PEPCO
Ryan Shifler EL 2nd Class
Associate Dean, Henson School of Science and Technology
Salisbury University
Sharon Abraham EL 2nd Class
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Abraham Consulting
Bridget E. Flaherty EL 2nd Class
Out-of-School Youth Program Manager
Worksource Montgomery
Austin W. Flowers EL 2nd Class
Sports Program Supervisor
Charles County Commissioners
Larry S. Fortino EL 2nd Clas
Accounts Manager II Sales
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Zhao Gong EL 2nd Class
Scientific Program Manager
National Institute on Aging
Cari Harris EL 2nd Class
Principal Consultant
The Butterfly Effect
Schevon R. Hendrick EL 2nd Class
Program Director
Sheppard Pratt
Anderson Jean EL 2nd Class
Professor
Baltimore City Public Schools
Lauren E. Lahman EL 2nd Class
Senior Staff Accountant
Easton Utilities
Subrat Mahapatra EL 2nd Class
Director, Asset Management Office
Maryland State Highway Administration
Sarah Manuel EL 2nd Class
Principal Program Manager
Baltimore Gas and Electric
Austin Merritt EL 2nd Class
Director of Development
Jeremiah Program
Adam Spangler EL 2nd Class
Legislative Aide, Office of the Attorney General
Maryland Office of the Attorney General
Katie A. Stevens EL 2nd Class
Director, Office of Agriculture
Frederick County
Kay Starr EL 2nd Class
Grant Writer
City of Bowie
Taylor J. Swanson EL 2nd Class
Assateague Coastkeeper
Assateague Coastal Trust
Eddie F. Westerfield EL 2nd Class
Supervisor of Electrical Design & Inspection
Easton Utilities Commission
Amanda C. Winters EL 2nd Class
Assistant Director of Communications
Maryland Department of Commerce
Hua Xiang EL 2nd Class
Deputy Director of Policy and Research
Maryland State Highway Administration
About Leadership Maryland
Leadership Maryland is a statewide nonprofit offering professional development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its business and community leaders. Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland’s Executive Program selects as many as 52 diverse and accomplished senior-level leaders from Maryland’s public and private sectors each year to come together as a class for an eight-month learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. Introduced in 2024, Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program brings together a class of the state’s rising stars and gives them the skills and tools they need to advance in their careers. With an alumni network comprised of leaders from all industries and regions of the state, Leadership Maryland has established thousands of Marylanders on their career leadership path, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to influence positive change. To learn more, please visit leadershipmd.org.
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